Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Toro PowerMax 726 late to the party
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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trouts2
Location: Marlboro MA
Joined: Dec 8, 2007
Points: 1328
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Toro PowerMax 726 late to the party
Original Message Dec 31, 2011 8:21 am |
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While googling around for parts compatibility I came across a machine I never new existed. A two stroke two stage Toro 726.model 38610 which I think is also called a PowerMax 6000.. Never knew this thing existed or any two stage with a two stroke. It's been around for a while. The model I looked at was made from 2004-2008 and had two stroke and four stroke versions. The two stroke version used an R-Tek 141cc running at 4000 +- 250RPM Auger at 123 Impeller at 1228 Anyone have one of these things? What's it like? Another interesting point: It looks like the model came in 26 inch and 28 inch buckets. The 26 had the two stroke and pin locking wheels. The 28 inch I think had a four stroke and could come with the Toro trigger wheel locking drive. The wheel locking drive looks very similar to the design MTD used for many years. Credit MTD with being first in innovation and Toro following MTD's lead. Low level MTD had a few features that were nice the big guns did not have. They had axles on roller bearings and a very nice feature of dual belts for the auger drive, something Ariens went to in the last few years after many user complaints of slippage.
This message was modified Dec 31, 2011 by trouts2
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RedOctobyr
Location: Lowell area, MA
Joined: Nov 5, 2011
Points: 282
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Re: Toro PowerMax 726 late to the party
Reply #2 Dec 31, 2011 9:53 am |
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Yeah, my '93 MTD 8-hp 2stage has 2 belts for the augers. My '93 Ariens 8hp 2-stage just has one. It had occurred to me that if I ever wanted to re-power the Ariens, I'd prefer to go to something greater than 8hp, and I might start damaging belts if I went to, say, an 11hp engine or something. For pretty much all the other areas of the machines, the Ariens seems better built/designed (bigger augers, differential instead of a pin lock, chute crank is right up on the control panel, thicker sheet metal, etc), but the 2-belts on the MTD is something I wouldn't mind having. For all the times the MTD's engine got bogged down trying to slog through EOD, I never saw anything that looked like belt slippage.
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trouts2
Location: Marlboro MA
Joined: Dec 8, 2007
Points: 1328
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Re: Toro PowerMax 726 late to the party
Reply #4 Dec 31, 2011 10:08 am |
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For all the bad press the MTD machines get I think they are ok, at least the older machine. The dual belts are a great feature. These days they have dropped back to a single belt on all the newer models I've seen. Ariens has a kit for converting some of their machines to dual belts. BTW: I've converted a few 924050 Ariens 8hp's to 11's. There's no problem with the belt if your using the machine properly. If you overloading the bucket all the time then eventually the belts go.
This message was modified Dec 31, 2011 by trouts2
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borat
Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692
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Re: Toro PowerMax 726 late to the party
Reply #5 Dec 31, 2011 11:00 am |
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I wouldn't be too concerned about longevity between a 5 h.p. and 7 h.p. engine. Particularly if the rpms are the same because neither machine is putting on more piston travel nor crank rotations. I've been running my old 1997 Craftsman Tecumseh engine at 6000 to 6500 for a while now and it's doesn't seem to mind. Time will tell I guess but so far, it's been flawless and with the added power, an excellent little snow mover. So, Trouts, you say that the only difference between a 5 h.p. and a 7 h.p. R-tek is the size of the main jet? I can see that being true. If the exhaust system remains the same, one can safely assume that it's built big enough to allow for the larger main jet. As a rule, when I modify my two stroke motorcycles to make more power, I increase the size of the main jets and also change the exhaust system to match. But, we're looking at 350cc engines making close to 50 h.p. at 9500 rpm. Considerably different than an engine loafing along at 4000 to 4500 rpm.
This message was modified Dec 31, 2011 by borat
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sscotsman
Joined: Dec 3, 2009
Points: 56
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Re: Toro PowerMax 726 late to the party
Reply #10 Dec 31, 2011 8:51 pm |
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Ariens also made some back in the day.. it was their "Metro" 937000 series, Ariens only had four models, and they were only made from 1990 to 1995. They were basically the "body" of a single-stage, with the 2-stroke engine, but with a 2-stage auger and impeller.. the concept must not have been terribly sucessful, (for any of the manufacturers) because no one makes them anymore.. I think they must be quite rare..I had been working on my Ariens webpage for 2 years before I was even aware of their existance! Scot
This message was modified Dec 31, 2011 by sscotsman
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Blowman
Joined: Jan 30, 2019
Points: 1
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Re: Toro PowerMax 726 late to the party
Reply #16 Jan 30, 2019 8:00 pm |
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I know this is an old thread, but I haven't found anyone but here that knows anything about a 726te. I bought one this fall for $175. I thought I'd take a chance and buy it being it was cheap I wouldn't be out much. Wow! what a crazy blower. The blowman was blown away. After a recent 6"-7" snowfall I accidentally filled my neighbor's driveway accross the street. The throwing distance is great. Only downside is it uses quite a bit of gas and I use Toro 2 cycle so I'll have to order more 2 cycle oil. All in all I believe I stole this machine for $175. My neighbor accross the street just bought a new cub cadet 3 stage and I think I can easily out blow him. Mine never bogs down and has top end to spare. Very happy with the 726 te.
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